Dunkirk and the WWI Centenary

2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. In addition to the many WWI museums and memorials that are open to the public all year round, 2014-2018 will see many special commemorative events taking place to remember those who lived, fought and died in the Great War.

As many of the most significant battles and campaigns of WWI took place around Northern France and Belgium, many of the planned commemorations will take place in these areas. If you wish to explore any of these events, the port of Dunkirk offers excellent transport links to many key locations.

Key areas of interest

The Museum of the Great War, Péronne

Located in the Picardy region of Northern France, the commune of Péronne hosts the Museum of the Great War, a key memorial where you can find out more about the daily lives of British, French and German civilians who were drawn into the ‘great war’.

The Somme 1916 Museum, Albert

Also located in the Picardie region, the Somme 1916 Museum in Albert occupies what was once the crypt beneath the basilica. The museum offers a unique insight into trench life during WWI, in addition to displaying original uniforms and equipment, many of which were rescued from the surrounding fields and trenches after the war.

Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Artois

The Vis-en-Artois Memorial is a British cemetery located in near the Vis-en-Artois commune in the pas-de-Calais region of northern France. The cemetery contains 2,369 burials and commemorations, plus a memorial listing the names of 9,843 British and South African soldiers who were killed during the Advance to Victory from 8 August- 11 November 1918.

Arras Memorial, Arras

The Arras Memorial in pas-de-Calais commemorates 34,795 British, South African and New Zealand soldiers who died between spring 1916 and August 1918, the vast majority of whom have no known grave.

In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres

Named after the famous WWI poem by John McCrae, the In Flanders Fields Museum occupies the second floor of the famous Cloth Hall in Ypres, Belgium. This award-winning retrospective has undergone major refurbishments in recent years, in preparation for the centenary. The museum has a large focus on the individual stories that put a human face on the real tragedy of the Great War.

Our Dunkirk Service

At DFDS Seaways we offer multiple daily sailings between Dover and Dunkirk , from early morning to late night. Typical sail time is around two hours, and our ferries contain extensive onboard facilities to ensure a comfortable and relaxing journey for all ages.

If you wish to arrange a group booking , our ferries can accommodate a range of vehicles including coaches and minibuses, with a dedicated drivers’ lounge including complementary refreshments and shower facilities.

Please contact our group travel team on 0871 522 9933 if you have any questions or special requirements regarding a group booking to Dunkirk.